NINE DAY
holy land tour
There is nothing like going to Israel where God
revealed Himself in time and space. The early church father, Jerome, described Israel as “The Fifth Gospel.” Once you’ve been there, combined with a Greek cruise Apostle Paul and John sites, you will never read the Bible the same again.
itinerary
FRI, Mar 14, 2023 Depart USA
We fly from our gateway city to Israel.
ENROUTE TRANSATLANTIC
SAT, Mar 15, 2023 Tel Aviv / Netanya
Today, we arrive in Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, we are met and assisted by our guide and transferred to our hotel. OVERNIGHT, NETANYA
SUN, Mar 16, 2023 Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Meggido / Nazareth / Galilee
Our guide and driver will first lead us along the Mediterranean to the ruins of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great. Paul was imprisoned here, Cornelius and his household lived here and Pilate lived here during the time of the crucifixion. Next we visit Mt. Carmel where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. We drive to Tel Megiddo, 30 civilizations deep including a Canaanite altar, Ahab’s water tunnel and Solomon’s stables. Later in Nazareth we visit Mary’s well before arriving in Galilee.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT, GALILEE
MON, Mar 17, 2023 Boat Ride / Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Tel Dan /
Caesarea Philippi / Golan Heights / Yardenit
After breakfast, an inspiring boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes, then drive to Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 with the loaves and fishes of a small boy. A short distance away we visit the foundations of the temple in Capernaum where Jesus taught. Here too is the outline of Peter’s house We go to Tel Dan where Jeroboam crafted a golden calf, and then to Caesarea Philippi, site of pagan altars, where Peter confessed Christ. We return through the Golan Heights to Galilee and stop at Yardenit, the Jordan River baptismal site, where you can be baptized, or rebaptized, if you wish.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT, GALILEE
BOAT, SEA OF GALILEE
TUE. Mar 18, 2023 Gideon Springs / Beth She'an / Bethlehem
This morning on our way to Jerusalem, we stop at Gideon Springs where Gideon chose 300 to fight against the Midianites. We next visit the Decapolis city of Beth She’an. The ancient city on the Tel above is where Saul and his sons were hung after their defeat at Gilboa. Beth She'an is one of the best preserved of all the Decapolis cities. We drive south through the Jordan River Valley and ascend the Judean Hills near Jericho. Entering Jerusalem we continue to nearby Bethlehem where we see the shepherd’s fields and visit the site of Jesus’ birth.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT, JERUSALEM
WED, Mar 19, 2023 Dead Sea / Qumran / Ein Gedi / Masada
We leave Jerusalem for the Shore of the Dead Sea -the deepest point on earth (1200 feet below sea level) driving again through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea. We visit the ruins of an ancient Essene community of Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. We drive to the Nature Reserve Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the rage of King Saul. At the southern most point of today's journey we ascend Masada by cable car to visit the fortress where from 70-73 AD Jewish Zealots made a last desperate stand against the Roman Empire. On our way back to Jerusalem we can enjoy a short float on the Dead Sea if time and weather allow.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT, JERUSALEM
DEAD SEA SCROLL CAVES, QUMRAN
WED, Mar 20, 2023 Old City / Garden Tomb
Drive to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of the city and surrounding area. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and the Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James. Our morning walking tour begins in the temple area on Mt. Moriah where we visit the excavated archeological site near the southern wall of Temple Mount. Afterwards, if circumstances allow, we visit the Temple Mount where we see the Dome of the Rock. Leaving the Mount, we visit the Western Wall. Continuing we also visit the Golden Gate, the Pinnacle, St. Stephen’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce Homo Arch. We view the Gabbadia pavement and walk through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. This afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb of Jesus. There we have an orientation beside Calvary with a time for worship and communion. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT, JERUSALEM
THU, Mar 21, 2023 Mount Zion / Israel Museum / Yad Vashem / Dinner Transfer
This morning we visit the Room of the Last Supper on Mount Zion and the traditional site of King David's tomb. This morning, we visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scroll collection is exhibited and see the amazing model of ancient Jerusalem. At Yad Vashem we are reminded of the horrors of the holocaust. We now journey westward toward the Mediterranean visiting Ellah Valley, where David slew Goliath, and Jaffa where Jonah sailed for his encounter with the big fish. We enjoy dinner in Tel Aviv and proceed to Ben Gurion Airport to check in for our flight home.
DINNER AND TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
THU, Mar 22, 2023 Transatlantic / USA
We board our flight and fly home arriving on this same day.
